**Official Toshiba RV530 owners thread**

[sotti]

I just picked up an RV530 from video only today. I wanted to hold out for the XV540 but my wife put her foot down. If the XV540 shows up in my return window and it's only $200 more I might be able to spring for the upgrade but on to the meat of the show.

The 42RV530 is setup in the living room. Picture looks good. Colors look strong. I literally got down setting it up 15 minutes ago, so pictures are coming, calibration is coming. (I still need real furniture for it).

It does have a swivel stand with something like 20 degrees of swivel in each direction. The menu looks almost exactly like my buddies toshiba.

I'll field any questions, but I have alot of setup to do so I'll be back later.

Update 1:
Official Press release for the model, still not on the website yet.
http://www.toshiba.ca/web/pressrelea...d=4785&from=25

Update 2:
Official Spec sheet
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...v530u_spec.pdf

note: 46+ have a different panel supporting deep color input.

I did alot of calibration on the set the last couple nights, playing around with the DVE disk and my Spyder Pro 2. I've got the white point damn near dead on at 6500 and it seems to be pretty even all the way down.

There do seem to be issues with the color decoder that I haven't been able to figure out how to address yet. I'm going to start a seperate thread to see if I can get answers on that.

I've played alot of dark material after calibration and I believe this panel is green push free. Hopefully I'll have pictures tonight or tommarrow.

[krotchy]

There is no problem starting a thread on a TV. I started the Philips 47PFL7422 thread myself, simply because I picked it up the day it went on sale at Costco, and no one else had started one. Generally though the thread starter adds the specs and a link to the product page on the manufacturers website among other things. However since Toshiba doesn't have it on the web yet, it can wait.

Anyways I am really interested in seeing the new Toshibas in a real room environment. I really want to move the Philips to my bedroom and get a 52in 120HZ TV for the living room, and the Toshiba 540/550 might be my winner if it works as speced.

[darkninja67]

Definitely need pics
Green push will show up in black or shadowed areas. You really cannot miss it once you see it.

[sotti]

I did a bunch of calibration last night, unfortuently my best diagnostic tool is a spyder 2 pro, wich doesn't include alot of diagnostic equipment.

I know how to punch into the service menu, but does anybody know where you can get at the color decoder? In my old hitachi set you essentially had levels that I could set for my color decoder right in the user menu and then all the color patterns stuff lined right up.

[sotti]

updated with spec sheet.

[aarizaga]

Sotti,
Reading your recent posts I know your still calibrating your RV53O,but when get a chance can you post some pictures.I am really interested in purchasing a set.Thanks

[da1951]

The combined manual for all RV 530 series models is available on the Toshiba Canada website. See http://support.toshiba.ca/support/ceg/manuals/#.

[rahzel]

so the 46"+ models have deep color input? does that mean the 42" model does not have HDMI 1.3 inputs?

i will be buying 40-42" LCD within the next couple months, and i was almost set on buying a Samsung 4061, but then this popped into the picture.

i would also like to see some pictures. also, could you comment on the black levels?

[screamace]

Any further comment on this model? I'm interested in the 32" or 37" models. Full hd for less $ than the Sharp's. Are these models all using the ips-alpha panels?

[ceelo]

their panels are only 8bit though, that sucks!!!

[ShOcKwAvE85]

Originally Posted by ceelo

their panels are only 8bit though, that sucks!!!

The specs say "PixelPure 4GTM 14 Bit" though.

[slyguy10]

Originally Posted by ShOcKwAvE85

The specs say "PixelPure 4GTM 14 Bit" though.

14 bit processor 8 bit panel

[Nutty4hockey]

Finally saw a 42" RV530u in store today...any review on this? Only found one so far on entire net..the 8Bit is a bummer..but is it still good for viewing movies/sports? Any info would be great...and hopefully this is a thread for all the 530...if not, oops

Thanks for any feedback and impressions..may buy it soon...still waiting for the new Samsung and the Toshiba XV's to arrive..grr.

[ph00p]

8bit panel! WTF!? Thats almost false advertising, kinda deceiving.

Anyway I'm still curious about this TV, how is it?

[eagleb]

I'm happy with mine, still have 3 days left on the 30-day exchange guarantee, but I'm staying with the 42RV530. XBOX 360 looks fantastic, only complaint is that the only way to get 1080p for the XBOX is to connect to the tv via HDMI. HDcomponent cables only allow for a 720p resolution, due to the TV, not the XBOX. Something to consider if you're going much bigger than 42" where the difference between 720p and 1080p could be more easily perceived. However, 720p is more than adequate for my gaming taste.

[ph00p]

Originally Posted by eagleb

I'm happy with mine, still have 3 days left on the 30-day exchange guarantee, but I'm staying with the 42RV530. XBOX 360 looks fantastic, only complaint is that the only way to get 1080p for the XBOX is to connect to the tv via HDMI. HDcomponent cables only allow for a 720p resolution, due to the TV, not the XBOX. Something to consider if you're going much bigger than 42" where the difference between 720p and 1080p could be more easily perceived. However, 720p is more than adequate for my gaming taste.

HDMI is a great way to go anyway, good note though for people who have old Xbox 360s.

Any other quirks? How about the heat is it as hot as sly mentioned? Is game mode really alot better for gaming, I found on my LG that I had w/o a gaming mode I was suffering from the small amount of lag I was getting.

[slyguy10]

Originally Posted by ph00p

HDMI is a great way to go anyway, good note though for people who have old Xbox 360s.

Any other quirks? How about the heat is it as hot as sly mentioned? Is game mode really alot better for gaming, I found on my LG that I had w/o a gaming mode I was suffering from the small amount of lag I was getting.

I would like to know the same thing. How is this set with gaming any motion blur or lag. I don't have this set yet but the heat i mentioned was when i was checking it out at the store very very warm/hot on the top of this set

[ph00p]

Originally Posted by slyguy10

I would like to know the same thing. How is this set with gaming any motion blur or lag. I don't have this set yet but the heat i mentioned was when i was checking it out at the store very very warm/hot on the top of this set

Well perhaps they had the backlight set on super happy mode that nobody in their right minds would actually use in a real world setting.

[skunis1]

Has anybody noticed a green push in this model. I have mine coming Saturday. I originally had the 42HL167 coming but switched it to the new model.

Has anyone done any SM tweaks yet?

[eagleb]

I haven't noticed any motion blur while gaming, at least none caused by the TV.
I also usually forget to set the game mode before playing, and it still looks fantastic.
Not sure about the heat, I'll have to check after I spend some time playing Call of Duty 4 multiplayer.

[AlexInvision]

Originally Posted by eagleb

I haven't noticed any motion blur while gaming, at least none caused by the TV.
I also usually forget to set the game mode before playing, and it still looks fantastic.
Not sure about the heat, I'll have to check after I spend some time playing Call of Duty 4 multiplayer.

Any pictures you could post for us.

[ph00p]

Originally Posted by eagleb

I haven't noticed any motion blur while gaming, at least none caused by the TV.
I also usually forget to set the game mode before playing, and it still looks fantastic.
Not sure about the heat, I'll have to check after I spend some time playing Call of Duty 4 multiplayer.

If you could post that later tonight that would rock, I'm going to buy this later tonight online, if things sound right, providing I don't hear any negatives.

I read on a Cnet review that the 40RF350U says:

"Inaccurate primary and secondary colors and color balance; darker areas tinged blue/green; poorly implemented color temperature controls; below-average screen uniformity."

Anyone on here ever hear that complaint about any other Toshiba screen? Thats really the only thing making me a bit antsy.

[slyguy10]

Originally Posted by ph00p

If you could post that later tonight that would rock, I'm going to buy this later tonight online, if things sound right, providing I don't hear any negatives.

I read on a Cnet review that the 40RF350U says:


Anyone on here ever hear that complaint about any other Toshiba screen? Thats really the only thing making me a bit antsy.

Phoop i seen this set i thought it looked great. Like i said i my other posts the heat at the top of the set has me a little worried. I have the 360 and you know the heat problems with that system. All in all this is probably the set i am going to get

[ph00p]

Yikes! I just read about Ghost Bars in Toshiba TVs! Scary stuff ! ugh there isn't one manufacture making things 100% perfect anymore is there? Or maybe its the fact that the 20 out of the 1000 that has bought set X is now banding together and that makes things seem worse than they really are?

[skunis1]

I was curious what the response time and the static contrast ratio are on this model so I contacted Toshiba via email.

They said the response time is 8ms or less. I have seen it listed as 5ms on the Toshiba Canada site.

Also here is there response about static contrast ratio:

We do not provide contrast ratio specifications as they are not representative of the true picture quality differences. Contrast is only one picture quality metric. Other variables such as the quality of the processor are equally important. Please visit your local dealer and compare REGZA. We are confident you will be impressed.

[crazybabydoc]

I picked up a set this afternoon when BB didn't have my first three choices in stock. I'm not planning on keeping it but early impressions:

1) Picture: Out of the box looks good with TW cable 1080i/720p, but as always, the source channel matters A LOT.
a) Out of the box, NCAA bball looks good but not great in 1080i. I believe this panel is much closer to 8ms than 5ms.
b) SD ranges from fair to good.
c) It shows a fantastic image from my Tosh A30 from SD discs.
d) HD DVD from my A30 is a home run.

2) Sound: Typical LCD, not very good but not terrible.

3) Adjustments: Default picture settings leave much to be desired. But the menus are pretty intuitive albeit not as extensive as some others (Sammy, Sony). Then again, some people would call that a good thing. One of the presets is Sports but it's basically 100 contrast and 100 backlight with other settings at 50. The others are only marginally better.

4) Price point: Highly competitive . . . that's all I got to say about that. :P

Given the price this TV is worth a look but it will need some serious calibration to show it's best. I will give the Game Mode a go tomorrow.

[ph00p]

Originally Posted by crazybabydoc

I picked up a set this afternoon when BB didn't have my first three choices in stock.

Maybe a lil OT but what were your top 3 choices? I really am interested in hearing how the game mode is.

What really makes you want to send it back?

[Nutty4hockey]

Hope EAGLE comes back soon with a full review...tempted to buy this lcd as i'm sick of waiting for all the other new models to get released...but hardly any feedback on this unit on this forum or any other forum/sites.

Hope to see some reviews soon and owner feedback.

Want lcd for watching blu-ray and watching sports and toss in some gaming.

[rider1deep]

anyone have any suggestions for user setting for this tv? I'm trying to find some to get a better picture

[crazybabydoc]

Originally Posted by ph00p

Maybe a lil OT but what were your top 3 choices? I really am interested in hearing how the game mode is.

What really makes you want to send it back?

Samsung 5064 plasma, Samsung 40A450 (not allowed to sell until Sat or Sun, Panny 42PX80U plasma and Tosh 42HL167 were among my options. BB had recently sold their Samsung 4071 display. In that spot, they put the 42HL167. The other three panels nearby were the 40A450, 40A550 and the 42PX80U. I thought the Tosh looked alright considering the competition (even better black than the sole plasma). Then the sales manager noted it wasn't in stock but they did have the 'replacement' which wasn't on display. He printed out a copy of the specs at which point I asked why the new TV with better specs costs LESS than last years version?

I was planning to send it back before I bought it. I REALLY wanted a new TV and to try out an LCD or plasma in the living room before settling on a RPTV. We are marginally green conscious so the low energy consumption of the Sammy 5064 is a good selling point. IMO, it will produce a superior picture with fewer gremlins than most LCD/plasma. The other issue is that I have a 3yo girl and 2yo boy. They mind me marginally better than the cat. I prefer the more stable base of the RPTV (and the additional 20lbs). Having said that, Tosh did a good job with this TV; impressively it's 40 pounds lighter than the HL167, it looks good off, it's cheap, it doesn't look WORSE than the typical LCD displaying SD, it does a great job with HD DVD (so I assume Blu will look good too).

On the negative, most tickers are fine (I hate them anyways) but CNN/Fox are clipped a little. When the RV350 goes on display with the new Samsungs, I don't see picking it over the A450 (same price) or A550 ($400+) particularly when it comes to sports, general PQ or even aesthetics.